Debate over evolution now allowed in Tenn. schools

By Chas Sisk, The (Nashville) Tennessean

NASHVILLE, Tenn. -- A bill that encourages classroom debate over evolution will become law in Tennessee, despite a veto campaign mounted by scientists and civil libertarians who say it will reopen a decades-old controversy over teaching creationism to the state's schoolchildren.

By Erik Schelzig, AP

Tenn. State Rep. Bill Dunn, left, and Rep. Harry Brooks, both Repubicans from Knoxville, participate in a House floor session in Nashville last week. Dunn was the main sponsor of the bill that allows students to criticize scientific theories like evolution.

Tenn. State Rep. Bill Dunn, left, and Rep. Harry Brooks, both Repubicans from Knoxville, participate in a House floor session in Nashville last week. Dunn was the main sponsor of the bill that allows students to criticize scientific theories like evolution.

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Tennessee Gov. Bill Haslam said that he will allow House Bill 368/Senate Bill 893 to become law without his signature, a symbolic move that signals his opposition but allows the measure to be added to the state code.

"The bill received strong bipartisan support, passing the House and Senate by a 3-to-1 margin," he said Tuesday. "But good legislation should bring clarity and not confusion. My concern is that this bill has not met this objective."

The decision followed criticism of the bill from national organizations and local scientists, who said it is a cover for reintroducing creationism to schools statewide. They linked the measure to the 1925 Scopes Trial in Dayton, Tenn., in which a schoolteacher was tried for breaking a state law then on the books that banned the teaching of evolution.

"It was presented as giving more flexibility to teachers to discuss controversies, but really this has always been about evolution," said Barry Lynn, executive director for Americans United for Separation of Church and State. "This has always been a way for teachers to interject their religious viewpoints if they contradict evolution."

Unlike the law used to try John Scopes, a biology teacher who flouted the state's ban on evolution nearly 90 years ago, the current bill does not require teaching any view of creation.

Instead, it encourages students to question accepted scientific theories -- listing as examples evolution, the chemical origins of life, global warming and cloning -- and it protects teachers from punishment if they teach creationism. Proponents say it will encourage critical thinking and give teachers license to discuss holes in scientific theories if they choose to do so.

Eight Tennessee members of the prestigious National Academy of Sciences signed a letter urging lawmakers to vote it down, saying it would hurt students, the state's reputation and its efforts to recruit science companies. The National Center for Science Education said it would allow teachers to introduce any idea they want into the science curriculum, religious or not.

"It doesn't solve any problems; it only creates problems," said Larisa DeSantis, the Vanderbilt scientist who started the petition drive. "It is going to bring political controversy into the classroom."

In his message, Haslam portrayed the bill as essentially meaningless.

"I do not believe that this legislation changes the scientific standards that are taught in our schools or the curriculum that is used by our teachers," Haslam said. "However, I also don't believe that it accomplishes anything that isn't already acceptable in our schools."

But the measure could trigger litigation, Lynn said.

Americans United has frequently joined in lawsuits that challenge schools and districts for teaching evolution. He said it expects such a suit to be filed once districts try to implement the new law.

"He should have been clear from the beginning what he wanted to do, and this result could have been different," Lynn said. "Now some small district is going to have to figure out what this statute means, and it will become a party to a very expensive lawsuit."

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